Business

Flydubai co-pilot identified as Hamam al-Hammami

By Sohail Khan 3 October 2026, 10:39 am

Benchmarks
Nifty22,421.95-198.5

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
19.6 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›News›International›World News›Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking captain Smit Machchhar identified as Hamam al-Hammami

Read Today's Paper

Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking captain Smit Machchhar identified as Hamam al-Hammami
Synopsis

Hamam al-Hammami, a co-pilot, attacked captain Smit Machchhar on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. The incident, which caused the aircraft to rapidly descend, raised serious security concerns. Al-Hammami had previously been removed from Oman Air due to extremist views and later employed by Flydubai. An investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive and potential terrorist links.

Flydubai flight incident probe — Hamam al-Hammami, the accused co-pilot in the flydubai incident

The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight, has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The co-pilot had been removed from flying duties at Oman Air over concerns about his extremist views and was later hired by Flydubai, where he had been working for about eight months, according to CNN.

The revelation has raised questions over the background checks carried out before he was cleared to fly for the UAE-based airline.

What happened aboard the Flydubai flight?

The incident unfolded more than two hours into the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight when al-Hammami attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.

The aircraft rapidly descended from around 34,000 feet to about 16,000 feet before the crew regained control. The flight transmitted emergency codes and was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Machchhar was injured during the confrontation but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker.

Speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident, Machchhar said, "When I was down on the floor, I sensed that the aircraft was going down. And I knew for sure: 'This is the one last push, Smit. Just do it. The door is right there.'"

What is known about Hamam al-Hammami?

CNN reported that al-Hammami was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother and had spent several years in the UAE. He studied aviation management through a distance-learning course at Buckinghamshire New University and graduated in 2023.

Also Read: Flydubai suspends Tel Aviv flights after flight deck safety incident

Two social media posts bearing his name appeared after the incident, although CNN said it was unclear who published them or whether they had been scheduled in advance.

One of the posts contained cockpit footage and ended with images of former al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and another man identified by CNN as Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out a 2009 suicide bombing.

CNN also analysed thousands of deleted posts from an account bearing al-Hammami's name and reported that they contained strongly religious and misogynistic views.

couldn't verify this news independently.

The social media accounts and LinkedIn profile have since been deleted.

What are investigators probing?

The motive behind the attack and any possible organisational links remain under investigation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspect had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination". The UAE attorney general has opened an investigation into whether the incident involved terrorist activity or prior planning.

Israeli officials have not publicly established evidence of a link between al-Hammami and any wider organisation.

Questions have also been raised over how an Omani national was cleared to serve on a flight to Israel, given that Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Smit Machchhar cockpit attackUAE attorney general investigationextremist views in aviationIsrael diplomatic relations OmanFlydubai flight incidentOman Air pilot removedaviation security investigation

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year